Buntings and New World Sparrows (Emberizidae)

Red-capped Cardinal (Paroaria gularis) - HBW 16, p. 644

French: Paroare rougecap German: Schwarzkehlkardinal Spanish: Cardenilla Capirroja
Other common names: Bolivian Cardinal (cervicalis)

Taxonomy: Tanagra gularis Linnaeus, 1766, Cayenne, French Guiana.
Recent molecular-genetic research indicates that genus belongs in the tanager family (Thraupidae), forming a clade with, among others, Cissopis and Schistochlamys; curiously, members of latter two genera are similar in some plumage features and in bill shape to some members of present genus. This species may form a superspecies with P. nigrogenis, P. baeri and P. capitata (all four have sometimes been placed in a separate genus, Coccopsis); appears to be closest to last of those. Previously considered conspecific with P. nigrogenis, but appears not to be genetically close enough to it to warrant such treatment. Has been proposed that race cervicalis be afforded full species rank, but more work needed to determine what degree of reproductive isolation, if any, exists; further, specimens from S part of range of nominate have reduced black around eyes, suggesting that variation possibly clinal. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

gularis (Linnaeus, 1766) - E Colombia (S Meta S to Amazonas), E Ecuador and E Peru, S Venezuela (W Amazonas and S Bolívar), the Guianas, and Amazonian lowlands of NC Brazil (including R Negro and mouth of R Amazon).
cervicalis P. L. Sclater, 1862 - NE Bolivia (Pando, E La Paz, Beni, E Cochabamba and Santa Cruz) and adjacent Brazil (W Mato Grosso).